The gold hoards of the Vikings

Gold was nowhere near as common as silver in the Viking Age. Despite this, gold arm rings were also adjusted in weight by the addition of smaller gold rings. Like silver, gold could be used as a means of payment in the Viking Age. Gold rings appear now and then in the larger silver hoards, but often the gold objects are found alone or with other gold ornaments. The gold hoards of the Viking period probably represent both sacrifices and hidden capital.